Moving opens a new chapter in your life. Exciting as it is, you may feel some nerves due to all the change that comes with packing your items, making arrangements, and letting go. It’s easy to distract yourself with making arrangements, but you want to ensure you make the right ones. You’ve already decided to hire professionals to aid with your move, but how do you choose the best ones? Here are 10 tips for hiring professional local movers. Let this be your ultimate guide to moving anywhere in the States.
1. Reasons To Use Local Movers
Local companies are more reliable than national chains. You can check reviews online or talk to people in your neighborhood who have used a local moving company to find out which is best. When you choose a local company, you’re guaranteed to work with experts who are not only trained at packing and moving but also experienced when it comes to the streets in your area.
2. When To Hire Movers
How far in advance you schedule your move depends on when you are moving and how far. The basic rule of thumb is to schedule your move as soon as you know you’re moving. For locals moves, you can usually schedule within a month or two. If you are moving to another city within the same state, make sure you schedule a couple of months ahead of time. Try to book interstate and international moves at least six months in advance to ensure you get the date and time you need for your move.
3. Compare Multiple Quotes
Ask around when considering your options for a moving company. If you find several you may want to work with, talk to them to find out the best price you can get. Companies may offer you a deal if they know you are shopping around.
Request a Walk-Through
Unless you are moving out of a small space, most moving companies will have a difficult time assessing how long they will need to pack up your stuff and move it without a walk-through. By walking through your home and seeing exactly what they’ll need to pack up, movers can make a better estimate of how much time they’ll need to move your items. The amount of time and space needed to move your items will determine the price.
4. Ways To Reduce Moving Costs
While you can hire movers who will pack your items for you, you’ll save money if you do it yourself. For some items, you must let your movers pack them. For instance, dressers and other large, awkward items are best left to the professionals. They will bring bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and tarps to move items to and from locations. When it comes to items that you need to box up, though, you should have everything ready to go before your movers arrive.
Pro Tip: Try to tape your boxes so they are sturdy, or your movers may repack them and charge you for the materials.
5. Find the Best Local Movers
When working with local companies, you want to hire the best. To ensure you choose a reputable company, check reviews online. You can also ask friends and family who have used the company if they enjoyed their service. Further, moving companies must be licensed by the Department of Transportation. You can check with the USDOT to ensure the company you’re talking to is legitimate.
6. Ask the Right Questions
Your situation is specific to you. For instance, you might have a piano, exercise equipment, or expensive artwork that needs careful handling. It’s important that you work with a moving company that will accommodate your needs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to ensure you will receive the quality of care you desire. Have a list of questions ready when you meet with your moving company. Some important questions to ask include:
- What is your cancellation policy?
- How do you prevent property damage?
- What happens if anything gets broken?
- Do you require deposits?
- What type of moving equipment do you use?
- Do you offer insurance?
- Can your movers handle specialty items?
Pro Tip: If a company isn’t willing to answer your questions, consider it a red flag. You should feel comfortable with the people who will be handling your items.
7. Why Local Movers Are Cheaper
You can save money with local movers vs. a national company because a local business will charge competitive rates. Companies that operate within your city know the area and may charge by the mile. National companies may have hidden fees for their drivers to come to your place. Working with a company in your area saves time and money. Further, if something goes wrong, you can easily reach a local business.
8. Know What To Expect on Moving Day
Trusted local movers will communicate with you on the day of your move. Once they arrive, they will start hauling the largest items out of your space first. You won’t need to do a thing except show them around and then stay out of their way. Professional movers are trained and know what to do. They work in pairs to ensure they don’t hurt themselves or your items.
9. How Much To Tip Your Movers
While tipping movers isn’t something you are obliged to do, it’s still a nice way to show your team you appreciate the hard work they did to help you out. Obviously, if you don’t think your movers did a good job, you might not tip. Otherwise, a reasonable tip is anywhere between five and 10 dollars per hour of work per person. So, if someone helped you move for four hours, you might tip them about $20.
10. Report Problems When Necessary
No one expects or wants anything to go wrong during a move. The most likely mishap is something getting left on the truck. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to check the truck before your movers leave your new property. If you do end up missing something or have another problem with your moving experience, do not hesitate to reach out to the company. Local moving companies would much rather you talk to them directly rather than leave a review online or go around with a nasty feeling about them. Your moving company will want to make the situation right.
Follow these tips for hiring professional local movers to ensure a grand experience on your moving day. Let this be your ultimate guide to finding the best local movers in NYC. Contact Simply Moving to start comparing quotes today.
